Mall of America didn’t open until about 10am so we slept in again. Very comfy beds at the hotel so that didn’t make it difficult!
We drove the car over to the mall as it was threatening to rain. Even though it had only just opened, the mall was pretty busy. Our first stop was McDonald’s for breakfast and, thank goodness, they had some “normal” menu items like those you’d find in New Zealand! As I was eating I watched the lego store below fill up with more and more people – people watching is great!
After breakfast it was time to split up – I needed to do some serious shopping so we agreed to meet back at the foodcourt in a couple of hours. Well, I tell you what. I went to nearly every darn store in that place and do you think I bought anything? No! Even (male) travel buddy came out with more than I did! I did see a battery-powered crawling soldier with a gun that lit up at the end, which I thought would have been mildly amusing for the guys at work but decided not to buy it.
The mall is huge, but it’s so well laid out that it’s pretty hard to get lost. And even though there may be thousands of people in there, it still feels like a small-town shopping centre. There weren’t many people in each of the stores I visited so I didn’t feel as claustrophobic in the crowds as I sometimes do.
After shopping, we headed on our seven hour trip back to Warsaw/Silver Lake, going a little out of our way to pick up some sort of farmy-stuff for TB.
I needed some new clothes (I haven’t had time to launder any) so we called into Wal-Mart in Warsaw just before midnight. All the fitting rooms were locked, so I bought eight or so items without trying them on. Even if they didn’t fit I could always sell them on TradeMe or throw them away. Also bought inordinate amounts of candy, a cover for my new mini-laptop and TB bought some clothes and a luggage set.
When we got to the hotel I tried on the clothes I bought. And you know what? Everything I bought fitted perfectly. Thus, I have devised a new shopping technique that I will adopt from now on. Speed shopping is where it’s at, people!
I also bought some grapes. Having had takeaways for virtually every meal the last three weeks, I felt like I needed something else (cue Instant Kiwi) and the diet will definitely be all on when I get back!
So we fly out tomorrow. It’s been a great trip. I’ll leave with fond memories and a broken heart but will always remember it. Hopefully I’ll be back someday. Someday.